The Toronto Maple Leafs forward, who was suspended 10 games for leaving the bench and coming to the aid of Phil Kessel in a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, is a one-time 30-goal scorer. He fights. He hits. He brings so many intangibles to the table that he was the most coveted free agent this summer.

So, yes, Clarkson is definitely going to be missed for the first three weeks of the regular season. But at the same time, the Leafs general manager believes the team is deep enough to survive his absence without having to look for outside help.

“Unless something picks up [on the trade market] and there is a better fit, we are comfortable with the way that some guys have played and that we can make it through the 10 games,” Nonis said in a phone interview Wednesday.

For the Leafs, this might not be exactly by choice. According to capgeek.com, the team has 23 players signed and less than US$1-million available under the salary cap. Room can be made by releasing players to the minors, but it might not be enough to pick up players through free agency.

The other issue is that restricted free agent defenceman Cody Franson is still without a contract. As of Wednesday night, there was nothing new to report. But the team would probably like to keep some money available with the hope they can reach an agreement.

That leaves Toronto with no other option than to look internally at filling Clarkson’s spot alongside Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul on the second line.

The only thing I would say is it’s not what we wanted to happen. But the fact that players came together like that is a good sign. I guess that’s a positive

“Obviously Clarkie was sticking up for me and I appreciate that,” Kessel said. “It’s tough losing a guy like Clarkie for 10 games. He’s a great player and everyone now is going to have to step up and contribute.”

Nonis said head coach Randy Carlyle will decide who moves up in the lineup. Nikolai Kulemin is an obvious choice, because he played with Kadri and Lupul at times last season. Another option would be Mason Raymond, although the left-shooting winger would have to play on the right side.

Whoever moves up would create an opportunity for someone else to join the lineup, a situation that Nonis said one of the team’s young bubble players can take advantage of.

“Carter Ashton has gotten better,” Nonis said. “And David Broll and Jamie Devane have been fine. They haven’t hurt us. If we have to put him in, Josh Leivo could give us some games as well.”

Again, it is not an ideal situation. But Nonis believes the brawl with Buffalo will make the Leafs a better team in the long run, if they can make it through these initial 10 games.

“The only thing I would say is it’s not what we wanted to happen,” Nonis said. “But the fact that players came together like that is a good sign. I guess that’s a positive.”

* * *

Forget who will be the Game 1 starter. Now that head coach Randy Carlyle said the plan is to split the first two games between the goalies, the bigger question is who will start Game 3. Or Game 4. And so on and so on.

“The whole season it’s going to be like this,” said goalie Jonathan Bernier, who is vying for the starting job along with James Reimer. “That’s hockey. It’s been like that wherever I’ve played. Even if you think you’re the No. 1 you have that other guy pushing you. It’s healthy competition.”

When asked if it would be something extra special to start in the season opener on Oct. 1, especially since it is against his hometown Montreal Canadiens, Bernier was diplomatic.

“If I play on [Oct.] 2nd that will not be a big deal for me and I’m sure it won’t be for Reims,” he said. “We’re here for the long run and it’s a long season.”